The Global Symposium on Health Systems Research bring together researchers, policy-makers, funders, implementers, civil society, media representatives and other stakeholders to share new evidence, identify opportunities and gaps and build understanding of Health Systems Research (HSR).

In a special session, speakers from China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, and Rwanda will share data, knowledge and views, particularly on the practical aspects of implementing national health insurance. The session will cover a vast diversity of experiences drawing on an array of issues such as challenges of determining premiums and benefit packages, expanding population coverage, expanding service coverage, developing effective purchasing mechanisms and ensuring equity.

Several countries in Asia and Africa are implementing different types of health insurance schemes aimed at attaining universal coverage and ensuring financial risk protection of the poor against depleting health expenditures. As the scope and pace of progress of attaining universal health coverage varies in each country, it is pertinent for knowledge exchange forums such as these to facilitate enriching cross-learning among practitioners.

The 2nd Global Symposium on Health Systems Research, which this year will focus on inclusion and innovation towards universal health coverage will run from 31 October to 3 November, 2012.